Poachers in Zimbabwe poison 87 elephants for ivory, official says
by Laura Smith-Spark and Columbus S. Mavhunga from CNN

Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- More than 80 elephants in Zimbabwe have been poisoned with cyanide -- the latest victims of poachers keen to feed soaring global demand for illegally trafficked ivory.

Since May, the carcasses of 87 elephants have been discovered in Hwange National Park, said Caroline Washaya-Moyo, public relations manager for Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The poachers poisoned natural salt licks to bring down the mighty beasts, she said Wednesday.

The parks authority has so far recovered 51 tusks, she said -- leaving 123 in the hands of the poachers.

Zimbabwe's newly appointed Environment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere told CNN that he would push for stiffer jail penalties to root out poaching in the wildlife-rich African nation.

"That will be one of my missions in the new parliament, given the recent case of elephants which were poisoned by poachers," said Kasukuwere, who visited the park 10 days ago to see the impact of the poisoning.

Last month authorities arrested five suspected poachers after 41 elephants were found dead in the park, which is about 800 kilometers (500 miles) southwest of Harare, not far from Zimbabwe's border with Zambia. The other carcasses have been discovered since then, Washaya-Moyo said.

Three of those arrested have been convicted and are due to be sentenced this week, she said. Two investigations are ongoing.

Jerome, three of these poachers were sentenced to 15 years a piece (not even close to enough IMO) As a side note the rumours flying around in earlier gossip that A South African was involved in these killings was complete and utter trash talk.

The parks authority has so far recovered 51 tusks, she said -- leaving 123 in the hands of the poachers.

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This pisses me off big time..they won't be in the poachers hands anymore, they will be under new flowerbeds in the fancy suburbs by now. Strange that they say nothing about all the vultures and cranes that were killed as well. :banghead:

..how I love the whisper of a finely tuned 308 and the serenity it bestows upon a troubled mind..

We, the U.S., put Mugabe in charge and like so many other situations like it, it came back and bit us. We respond through economic sanctions. This simply closed one door to a source of revenue which caused the door to Chinese investment to be thrown open.

Mugabe is deeply in bed with the ivory addicted Chinese. Is it any wonder why the ele's are at least partly paying the cost of this debacle and will continue to do so?

We, the U.S., put Mugabe in charge and like so many other situations like it, it came back and bit us. We respond through economic sanctions. This simply closed one door to a source of revenue which caused the door to Chinese investment to be thrown open.

Mugabe is deeply in bed with the ivory addicted Chinese. Is it any wonder why the ele's are at least partly paying the cost of this debacle and will continue to do so?

Based on that blurb from Red State, one can at most conclude that Carter had opinions about the prospects for Zim. I think its a stretch beyond imagination to suggest that somehow he or the US "put" Mugabe into power, thats utter nonsense. Mugabe was elected to office by the Zim people. Undoubtedly fraud was involved. Henry Kissinger asked the then president of RSA to suggest to the leader of Rhodesia that white rule was coming to an end, obvious to everyone. This in no way can reasonably or logically be construed as a means of blaming the US for Mugabe. America can be blamed for many things, this is NOT one of them.

Based on that blurb from Red State, one can at most conclude that Carter had opinions about the prospects for Zim. I think its a stretch beyond imagination to suggest that somehow he or the US "put" Mugabe into power, thats utter nonsense. Mugabe was elected to office by the Zim people. Undoubtedly fraud was involved. Henry Kissinger asked the then president of RSA to suggest to the leader of Rhodesia that white rule was coming to an end, obvious to everyone. This in no way can reasonably or logically be construed as a means of blaming the US for Mugabe. America can be blamed for many things, this is NOT one of them.

What caliber would be appropriate if they open a season on poachers? Mine run from .222 mag to 338/06.
What kind of ranges might the shooting take place at? 200 yds? Or would it be longer, say 350+. Makes a difference in my selection.

Based on that blurb from Red State, one can at most conclude that Carter had opinions about the prospects for Zim. I think its a stretch beyond imagination to suggest that somehow he or the US "put" Mugabe into power, thats utter nonsense. Mugabe was elected to office by the Zim people. Undoubtedly fraud was involved. Henry Kissinger asked the then president of RSA to suggest to the leader of Rhodesia that white rule was coming to an end, obvious to everyone. This in no way can reasonably or logically be construed as a means of blaming the US for Mugabe. America can be blamed for many things, this is NOT one of them.

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I'm certainly no expert on Zimbabwe/Rhodesia history, but the way I remember it, Bishop Abel Muzorewa was the first elected black leader, who changed the name from Rhodesia, to Zimbabwe. However, Carter and the British government, refused to recognize his government thus effectively "putting" Mugabe in power, thanks Jimmy. We would have been better off with Carter's moronic alcoholic brother, Billy in charge!